E/CN.4/1993/26
page 47
207. In addition to the above, many of the officials who allegedly inflicted
severe injuries on people in their custody apparently went unpunished and
continued in their duties. In addition, some judicial officers do not appear
to be investigating allegations adequately and in some cases have failed to
take appropriate action when alleged torture or ill-treatment has been brought
to their attention by victims or their lawyers. The following 21 individual
cases were reported.
208. Dimitris Vavatsikos was arrested with a friend on 5 February 1990 in
central Athens. They were reportedly beaten with wooden clubs and verbally
abused by police from the E Police Station.
209. With respect to this case, the Government reported that Mr. Vavatsikos
was among a group of demonstrators who were arrested and taken first to the
4th Police Station of Athens and later to the Security Division of Attica.
While in these places, he neither mentioned any injuries nor asked to have a
medical examination and the policemen did not notice any visible signs of
ill-treatment. The policemen's behaviour towards Mr. Vavatsikos and all the
other persons was legal and appropriate. Any injuries he possibly sustained
were due to his participation in the riots during which he was arrested and
were undoubtedly caused prior to his arrrest. Apparently, Mr. Vavatsikos was
injured during the clashes between policemen and demonstrators.
210. Kostas Stamateas was arrested on 5 February 1990 near Omonia Square,
Athens, and forced into a police van where he was reportedly beaten with
wooden clubs and verbally abused. A medical report certified grazing,
swelling and bruising on the face, head and other parts of his body.
211. With respect to this case, the Government reported that Mr. Stamateas and
two accomplices had been arrested for breaching the Arms Act and transferred
to the Security Directorate of Attica by Police Sergeant Vlavogilakis. The
behaviour of the police officers during the transfer and detention of the
three persons was legal and appropriate. Any wounding of Mr. Stamateas was
due to his participation in the incidents during which he was arrested,
possibly during the fight between police officers and demonstrators, and was
caused, in any case, before his detention. His two accomplices did not
complain of any ill-treatment, and he himself did not lodge a complaint
against the police officers.
212. Sotirios Kalogrias was arrested on 24 March 1990, together with a friend,
at Exarchia Square. They were pushed inside a police van where they were
punched and verbally abused by about 15 police officers. Subsequently they
were taken to the Security Police Headquarters in handcuffs where police
officers allegedly continued to beat Sotirios Kalogrias on his face.
213. The Government replied that although the forensic surgeon characterized
the bodily injury suffered by Sotirios Kalogrias as light, the Public
Prosecutor of Athens started legal proceedings against the policemen for
causing dangerous bodily injuries which, according to the penal legislation in
force, is punishable by serious penal sanctions. On 24 July 1992 two
policemen were committed for trial, which will be held on 6 October 1993. If
they are convicted the relevant disciplinary sanctions would be imposed on
them.
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